Japan remains the world's after the U.S..

However, to truly understand the industry, one must first understand the culture that fuels it. The Japanese entertainment landscape is a mirror reflecting the nation’s complex duality: a deep reverence for tradition married to a manic obsession with technological futurism; a collectivist society that produces intensely personal, rebellious art; and a rigid corporate structure that allows for wild, avant-garde creativity.

A 17th-century theatrical form known for elaborate costumes, dynamic dance, and all-male casts.